During the month of October, Cumberland University will host peace-themed events in correlation with the Cordell Hull Peace Forum sponsored by Middle Tennessee Electric and the Tennessee Valley Authority. 

Beginning with the highly anticipated kickoff event, keynote speaker Al Gore will talk about his personal family history with notable Cumberland alumnus Cordell Hull. In addition, Nashville’s best-known sculptor Alan LeQuire will unveil the 7-foot tall, bronze statue of the famous alum, which will reside permanently in front of historic Memorial Hall. 

In addition to the kickoff event, the university will host several events as part of the inaugural Peace Forum throughout the month of October. On Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. in Baird Chapel, the University Chaplain Dr. Ripski and President Stumb will host a discussion titled “Is Peace Possible?” 

The month will continue with guest speaker Mayor Rick Bell on Oct. 7 In Vise Library at 12:30pm. Mayor Bell will take a biographical look at Cordell Hull in the event “A Person Can’t Ever Amount to Something Unless He Stands For Something: The Life and Legacy of Cordell Hull”. 

National Book Award Winner Colum McCann will be on campus for two events centered around his latest book “Apeirogon”, which takes a poetic and personally painful dive into the Middle East Conflict by chronicling the real life story of two men who came together in grief to find brotherhood. 

On Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. in Baird Chapel, students are invited to share their personal stories as a way to gain greater understanding that everyone has a story.  

McCann’s main event, “Peace Through Storytelling” will take place in Alumni Hall on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. Following a reading from “Aperiogon” will be a moderated discussion with the author and Rami Elhanan, an Israeli, and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian, who have bonded over each other’s stories of loss and overcome cultural contempt. 

The annual alumni event “Party on the Patio” will be held at the Catron Alumni House on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. With this year’s Homecoming theme of “Peace, Love & Phoenix”, alumni are encouraged to dress up in 60s or 70s inspired outfits and enjoy music, food and fun on the patio. 

Finally, the Homecoming game between Cumberland and Bethel University will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Nokes-Lasater Field on Oct. 23. 

For the official calendar of university events, please visit https://www.cumberland.edu/events/.